Winter Storm Stella Officially a Blizzard

The storm that dumped around two feet of snow in the Hudson Valley can now officially be called the “Blizzard of 2017.”

According to the National Weather Service, a blizzard is defined by sustained winds of 35 MPH, considerable falling snow for three hours or more and poor visibility.

After reviewing the storm, the National Weather Service says blizzard criteria was met in Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

Blizzard conditions was found in Orange County from 9:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. In Dutchess and Putnam counties, blizzard conditions were reached from 12:18 p.m. until 5:31 p.m.

“Tuesday's crippling nor'easter officially met the standard of a blizzard all across the Hudson Valley,” Hudson Valley Weather wrote on Facebook after reading the National Weather Service's findings. “This only helps to further illustrate how rare and powerful the storm was.”